The roar hit before the whistle even blew. A living wave of sound rolled across the freshly cut grass, rattling chests and clattering hearts.
Phones flashed, sneakers squeaked, and the summer air hung thick with sweat and anticipation.
Every cheer, every shout, every snap of a camera shutter added layers to the tension... electrifying, suffocating, inevitable.
Alex Hale stood at midfield, the ball at his feet, scanning. The heat of the sun glinted off Marcus Steele's Apex XI like a spotlight on predators.
Every player moved in orchestrated precision, the kind that only came from professional drills, endless repetition, and pride honed into instinct.
Marcus's plan was immediate... overwhelm them. Tyler and Jonah shifted in tandem, launching sharp one-twos, carving lanes wide, the ball at Marcus' feet before Alex's team could close in.
